Book Review HIEU566
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HIEU 566
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Feb 20, 2024
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The book Reformation Thought: An Anthology of Sources
by Margaret L. King is a book that reviews important works that started and fueled the Protestant Reformation as well as the aftereffects. Her title includes what she hopes to interpret for her reader in that the thoughts that formed the beginnings of what would become the reformation of Protestantism, forming of new forms of Christianity, and the effects it had on the world today. King collects works from monks,
spiritual leaders, theologians, and philosophers that contributed to the Protestant Reformation, and other religious events that followed. King suggests the Reformation began 150 years prior to Luther’s influence in Europe. The works included come from a period prior to the Reformation and are works that contributed to Christian views and opened the door for others to build off the views shared in earlier works. King takes her reader on a historical journey beginning with works by John Wyclif, Jan Hus, Thomas a Kempis, and Erasmus. Wyclif began a sense of enlightenment of Christianity when he wrote On the Truth of Holy Scripture in the 14
th
century
,
offering the idea that God’s word is the truth and was meant to available to all.
1
Little embers of the Reformation is shown to be lit when Jan Hus wrote On the Church
in 1413, telling his readers that God is the head of the church, not man.
2
Further, King suggests Erasmus’ views were considered to be the precursor to the Reformation, as his works were not only a product of the teachings of Wyclif and others, but that
Luther incorporated Erasmus’ views in those he shared in his own works. Highlighting their works as the foundation that was laid prior to Luther, it gives historical context to what Luther expounded on when he wrote his 95 Theses.
3
Church politics and hierarchy was ultimately challenged by Luther and King provides historical value to explaining his basis in doing so, noting reformation was never his intent. Luther’s challenge was meant to remain local and was a 1
King, Margaret L. (2016). Reformation Thought: An Anthology of Sources, 4.
2
Ibid, 7.
3
Ibid, 42.
challenge for the local church. Interestingly, Luther’s work, On the Power of the State
can be correlated to the very power struggle that continues today as society changes views and Christians attempt to preserve religious oversight and authority overall.
4
The inclusion of women in her book gives insight to Luther’s impact on female royalty. It gives pause to the notion they may have been the only women able to voice their opinions at that time. Argula von Grumbach was one who heroically voiced her disagreement with the repudiation of Arascius Seehofer’s works and his exhalation.
5
Her work challenged scholars with biblical knowledge not known by many, especially women. Marguerite de Navarre, whom also shared nobility giving her the ability to speak out supported Luther and his teachings for years, writing The Mirror of the Sinful Soul and participated in sharing the intimate side of one’s faith.
6
French noble Marie Dentiere supported the Reformation and Lutheran ideas as she was able based on her birth right. King shows her reader the connection between women of the time by showing how Dentiere reached out to de Navarre, asking for her assistance in not only supporting the “new church”, but also advocating for the roles of women in the church.
7
John Calvin was known to reach out to women during his work as well, and King notes these women were of nobility as well. As the Radical Reformation formed, women continued to teach their beliefs of toleration, and at times were imprisoned and executed for their voicing their beliefs. Accounts of women are documented in this book by sharing letters from Maeyken van Deventer and Janneken Munstdorp to their children.
8
Executions of women continued, with Lady Jane Grey, who voiced her belief in the trinity, which was an ongoing division between the Protestant and Catholic churches.
9
4
King, Margaret L. (2016). Reformation Thought: An Anthology of Sources, 57.
5
Ibid, 65.
6
Ibid, 14.
7
Ibid, 91.
8
Ibid, 111.
9
King, Margaret L. (2016). Reformation Thought: An Anthology of Sources, 134.
King follows the Reformation from Germany into other parts of Europe, to include Switzerland and France. Highlighting the continued efforts of reform for the Swiss, King includes France as a
place where Reformation was not especially popular and did not take hold. King’s focus on how publication assisted thoughts of not only Luther, but those who supported his views and desired to share this newfound Christian thought with all of Europe. With the German Lutheran church, a reality, Switzerland founded their Swiss Reformed Church, with the leadership of Ulrich Zwingli.
10
The importance of publication and its effects assisted in expanding the Reformation throughout Europe, and ignited those to search for religious freedom. Ending her book with the impact the Reformation had on Protestants moving west in search of religious freedoms incorporates how the creation of New World was full of commitment to God yet conflict as colonists attempted to incorporate that in their new government. Roger Williams wrote The Bloudy Tenet of Persecution in 1644 as the New World had its own religious struggles, and King
highlights his message in a way in which her readers can understand the meaning.
11
Providing historical reference as to whether the Radical Reformation followed Luther’s reform or that of Zwingli and Calvin as well, King culminates her collection of works by reviewing the phases of Reformation, including what was a basis for America, in the Radical Reformation, which focused on toleration. Luther’s followers continued his work after his death, ensuring to credit the founding of the “new church” to Luther. Teaching of the Bible and the belief that one should follow God’s word, repent themselves, and live by faith was a common core teaching, brought to many in Switzerland and France by John Calvin.
12
The works of many included biblical sources in their teachings, from the book of Daniel and Paul. Using the Bible as a source of teaching further taught Christians to use the Bible as their main source of authority. 10
Ibid
, 84.
11
Ibid, 196.
12
King, Margaret L. (2016). Reformation Thought: An Anthology of Sources, 85.
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The Reformation brought on political concerns, which incorporated breaking with the Roman Church, namely beginning with King Henry VIII. King includes how Henry VIII felt he needed to break from the church in order to marry another in an effort to have a male heir. He used works by Protestant Simon Fish, entitled A Supplication for the Beggars,
as a basis in order to confirm his position.
13
Throughout the book, King provides excerpts from all works included with her own explanation behind what she feels is the meaning and intent. This provides the reader with an opportunity to better understand the works created. Her thesis was sufficiently validated with works and an explanation regarding how each of them played a role in the beginnings, peak, and lasting effects
of the Reformation. With Wyclif as one who made Christianity as a faith that one can take control of by their own study, to Erasmus introducing the concept of looking within oneself rather than to the entity of the church itself, to Luther challenging the church to teach Christians to implement the teaching of faith from within, to all those who were encouraged by him and advocated for religious freedom for themselves. The Reformation brought more than a new definition of belief and worship, it reformed the Catholic church, with beginnings dating back to the beginning of the 16
th
century with Gaspara Contarini’s The Duties of a Bishop.
14
King’s book did well to map the Reformation, from its infancy, birth, peak, and afterlife through religious freedoms and civil rights. 13
Ibid
, 124.
14
Ibid, 144.